VOICE OF THE PEOPLE (letter)

Transit funding

Chicago — As members of the Chicago City Council debate issues at the CTA, they should not ignore the impact reductions in state funding have had on both our transit and highway systems.

Due to the continuing state budget crisis, state capital funding for highways and transit has been cut by more than 60 percent (a $1.2-billion-per-year loss) since 2003. No other state programs have suffered such huge funding losses.

Diminished state investment will continue to take an ever-increasing toll on the reliability, safety and physical condition of our entire transportation system.

The system is aging and needs increased investment, not decreased investment from the state.

Our state's public transportation systems have seen a $356-million-per-year (100 percent) cut in state capital funding over the last three years. How can we expect our transit systems to keep current service levels, let alone provide better or increased service, with no state capital support?

Regarding transit operations funding, the state has provided some Band-Aids but not comprehensively addressed the problem since 1983--that is 24 years ago.

Our highway system is being similarly shortchanged. State capital funds for highways are $842 million less than in 2003 (a 55 percent reduction).

This funding cut has caused the miles of state highways repaired and improved to drop from about 1,200 miles per year in 2003 to only 360 miles proposed for this year out of the more than 16,000 miles of state highways.